Public Awareness, Trust, and Willingness to Engage with the Red Cross in Disaster Preparedness and Response: A Cross-Sectional Study in Serbia

Authors

  • Vladimir M. Cvetković Department of Disaster Management and Environmental Security, Faculty of Security Studies, University of Belgrade, Gospodara Vučića 50, 11040 Belgrade, Serbia Author
  • Ana Vlastić Scientific-Professional Society for Disaster Risk Management, Dimitrija Tucovića 121, 11040 Belgrade, Serbia Author
  • Vanja D. Cvetković Scientific-Professional Society for Disaster Risk Management, Dimitrija Tucovića 121, 11040 Belgrade, Serbia Author

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18485/

Abstract

Humanitarian organizations depend on citizens who understand their roles, trust their actions, and are willing to participate in preparedness and response. This study examined public awareness, trust, perceived preparedness and effectiveness of the Red Cross of Serbia, expectations of humanitarian organizations, and willingness to engage in disaster-related activities. We analyzed a cross-sectional online survey of 155 adults in Serbia after item-level quality control. Composite scales showed high internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha = 0.908-0.957). HC3-robust multiple regression indicated that awareness was the strongest independent correlate of trust (beta = 0.543, p < 0.001), perceived preparedness/efficiency (beta = 0.580, p < 0.001), and expected humanitarian role (beta = 0.545, p < 0.001). In the full engagement-readiness model, awareness (beta = 0.318, p < 0.001) and expected humanitarian role (beta = 0.346, p = 0.002) remained significant, explaining 45.9% of variance; trust was significant in the reduced model (beta = 0.253, p = 0.005) but not after expected role was added. Direct Red Cross contact was associated with higher awareness (Hedges g = 0.51) and readiness (g = 0.53), and nonparametric sensitivity analysis supported settlement differences in readiness. Pearson correlations showed strong overlap between trust and preparedness/efficiency (r = 0.884, p < 0.001), whereas readiness correlated moderately with interest in future participation (r = 0.478, p < 0.001). In ordinal logistic regression, a one-point increase in readiness was associated with 3.40 times higher odds of being in a higher future-interest category (95% CI [2.04, 5.65]). The findings indicate that actionable awareness, role clarity, and visible organizational value are central correlates of citizen engagement, while demographic differences are comparatively limited.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

References

1. Abunyewah, M., Gajendran, T., Maund, K., & Okyere, S. A. (2020). Strengthening the information deficit model for disaster preparedness: Mediating and moderating effects of community participation. International Journal of Disaster Risk Reduction, 46, 101492. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijdrr.2020.101492

2. Alkusaibati, W., & Pilemalm, S. (2023). Digitalized co-production and volunteerism in emergency response: A literature review. Proceedings of the 20th International Conference on Information Systems for Crisis Response and Management. https://doi.org/10.59297/arqo2281

3. An, G.-Y., Lemyre, L., Pinsent, C., & Krewski, D. (2020). Community social capital and individual disaster preparedness in immigrants and Canadian-born individuals: An ecological perspective. Journal of Risk Research, 23, 678-694. https://doi.org/10.1080/13669877.2019.1628090

4. Ao, Y., Tan, L.-Y., Tan, L., Zhong, J., Zhang, H.-Y., Wang, Y., & Wang, T. (2022). Households' earthquake disaster preparedness behavior: The role of trust in and help from stakeholders. Frontiers in Environmental Science, 10, 926432. https://doi.org/10.3389/fenvs.2022.926432

5. Appleby-Arnold, S., Brockdorff, N., & Callus, C. (2021a). Developing a 'culture of disaster preparedness': The citizens' view. International Journal of Disaster Risk Reduction, 56, 102133. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijdrr.2021.102133

6. Appleby-Arnold, S., Brockdorff, N., Jakovljev, I., & Zdravković, S. (2021b). Disaster preparedness and cultural factors: A comparative study in Romania and Malta. Disasters, 45(3), 664-690. https://doi.org/10.1111/disa.12433

7. Bier, M., Fathi, R., Stephan, C., Kahl, A., Fiedrich, F., & Fekete, A. (2025). Spontaneous volunteers and the flood disaster 2021 in Germany: Development of social innovations in flood risk management. Journal of Flood Risk Management, 18(1), e12933. https://doi.org/10.1111/jfr3.12933

8. Biñas, R., & Cañete, R. (2025). Differential risk and the elements of resilience: A framework for advancing disaster risk reduction. International Journal of Disaster Risk Management, 7(2), 209-238. https://doi.org/10.18485/ijdrm.2025.7.2.12

9. Blackburn, C. C., Boyce, M. R., Rico, M., Niekamp, K., Moats, J., Radcliff, T. A., & Thomas, E. (2025). Predictors of individual-level preparedness for natural disasters and trust in disaster assistance in the United States, 2024. Public Health Reports, 140(4), 306–315. https://doi.org/10.1177/00333549251341236.

10. Bukula, J., & Mwageni, N. (2025). Beyond tokenism: Exploring the experiences and barriers of persons with disabilities in disability-inclusive disaster risk management in Mwanza City Council, Tanzania. International Journal of Disaster Risk Management, 7(2), 51-64. https://doi.org/10.18485/ijdrm.2025.7.2.4

11. Cañete, R., Joiner, D., & Biñas, R. (2025). Putting people first: Why pooled funds belong to communities. International Journal of Disaster Risk Management, 7(2), 417-442. https://doi.org/10.18485/ijdrm.2025.7.2.23

12. Cisternas, P. C., Cifuentes, L., Bronfman, N., & Repetto, P. (2023). The influence of risk awareness and government trust on risk perception and preparedness for natural hazards. Risk Analysis, 44, 333-348. https://doi.org/10.1111/risa.14151

13. Clark, N., Boersma, K., Raju, E., Opromolla, A., Orru, K., Hansson, S., ... Vollmer, M. (2025). Strengthening all-of-society approaches for disaster resilient societies through competency building: A European research agenda. International Journal of Disaster Risk Reduction, 121, 105345. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijdrr.2025.105345

14. Cvetković, V. M. (2016a). Fear and floods in Serbia: Citizens preparedness for responding to natural disaster. Zbornik Matice srpske za društvene nauke, 155-156, 303-324. https://doi.org/10.2298/ZMSDN1656303C

15. Cvetković, V. M. (2016b). Influence of income level on citizen preparedness for response to natural disasters. Vojno delo, 68(4), 100-127. https://doi.org/10.5937/vojdelo1604100C

16. Cvetković, V. M. (2016c). Marital status of citizens and floods: Citizen preparedness for response to natural disasters. Vojno delo, 68(8), 89-116. https://doi.org/10.5937/vojdelo1608089C

17. Cvetković, V. M. (2016d). The impact of the level of motivation on the preparedness of citizens of the Republic of Serbia to respond to natural disaster caused by flood. Vojno delo, 68(3), 141-171. https://doi.org/10.5937/vojdelo1603141C

18. Cvetković, V. M., & Milojković, B. (2016). The influence of demographic factors on the level of citizen awareness of police responsibilities in natural disasters. Bezbednost, 58(2), 5-31. https://doi.org/10.5937/bezbednost1602005C

19. Cvetković, V. M., & Šišović, V. (2024). Understanding the sustainable development of community (social) disaster resilience in Serbia: Demographic and socio-economic impacts. Sustainability, 16(7), 2620. https://doi.org/10.3390/su16072620

20. Cvetković, V. M., Babić, S., & Gačić, J. (2017). Religiousness level and citizen preparedness for natural disasters. Vojno delo, 69(4), 253-262. https://doi.org/10.5937/vojdelo1704253C

21. Cvetković, V. M., Milašinović, S., & Lazić, Ž. (2018). Examination of citizens' attitudes towards providing support to vulnerable people and volunteering during disasters. Teme, 42(1), 35-56. https://doi.org/10.22190/TEME1801035C

22. Cvetković, V. M., Milenković, D., Bašić, J., Lukić, T., & Renner, R. (2026). Predictive model of community disaster resilience across Serbia: A BRIC-DROP composite index and spatial patterns. Safety, 12(3), 59. https://doi.org/10.3390/safety12030059

23. Cvetković, V. M., Nikolić, N., Radovanović Nenadić, U., Öcal, A., Noji, E. K., & Zečević, M. (2020). Preparedness and preventive behaviors for a pandemic disaster caused by COVID-19 in Serbia. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 17(11), 4124. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph17114124

24. Cvetković, V. M., Radovanović, M. P., & Milašinović, S. M. (2021). Disaster risk communication: Attitudes of Serbian citizens. Sociološki pregled, 55(4), 1610-1647. https://doi.org/10.5937/socpreg55-34018

25. Cvetković, V. M., Roder, G., Öcal, A., Tarolli, P., & Dragićević, S. (2018). The role of gender in preparedness and response behaviors towards flood risk in Serbia. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 15(12), 2761. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph15122761

26. Cvetković, V. M., Ronan, K., Shaw, R., Filipović, M., Mano, R., Gačić, J., & Jakovljević, V. (2019). Household earthquake preparedness in Serbia: A study of selected municipalities. Acta geographica Slovenica, 59(2), 27-42. https://doi.org/10.3986/AGS.5445

27. Kayode Sunday, D. ., Aliyu Mohammed, H., & Opeyemi Quadir, R. (2025). Disaster Risk Management in Academic Institutions: An Assessment of Preparedness and Recovery at Kashim Ibrahim Library, Nigeria. International Journal of Contemporary Security Studies, 1(1), 1-16. https://doi.org/10.18485/fb_ijcss.2025.1.1.1

28. Dalangin, F. I. J. (2025). Assessing good governance practices in disaster risk reduction and management (DRRM) among education institutions: A systematic literature review. International Journal of Disaster Risk Management, 7(2), 21-32. https://doi.org/10.18485/ijdrm.2025.7.2.2

29. Enjolras, B., Hansen, V. W., & Winsvold, M. S. (2024). Collaborative governance and effectiveness during emergency response actions in Norway. International Journal of Disaster Risk Reduction, 111, 104651. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijdrr.2024.104651

30. Han, Z., Wang, L., & Cui, K. (2020). Trust in stakeholders and social support: Risk perception and preparedness by the Wenchuan earthquake survivors. Environmental Hazards, 20, 132-145. https://doi.org/10.1080/17477891.2020.1725410

31. Hu, Z., Zhang, X., Cui, J., Zhang, L., & Ahmed, W. (2021). A survey-based analysis of the public's willingness for disaster relief in China. Natural Hazards, 107, 2205-2225. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11069-021-04538-7

32. Hwang, H., Bixler, R. P., Brown, W. A., & Vedlitz, A. (2024). How to activate nonprofit beneficiaries for community resilience? Examining the role of risk perception and evaluation of nonprofit services on prosocial behavior in the context of natural hazards. Sociological Spectrum, 44(1), 16-37. https://doi.org/10.1080/02732173.2023.2279968

33. Islam, M., Islam, M. A., Afroj, F., Islam, A. A., Karmakar, O., Nayem, A. A. M., & Hoque, M. A. (2026). Volunteer-led emergency flood response in Bangladesh: Evidence for strengthening disaster-risk governance. International Journal of Disaster Risk Management, 8(1), 163–182. https://doi.org/10.66050/jf110s44

34. Janković, L. S., Cvetković, V. M., Gačić, J., Renner, R., & Jakovljević, V. (2025). Integrating psychosocial support into emergency and disaster management and public safety: The role of the Red Cross of Serbia. International Journal of Contemporary Security Studies, 1(1), 99-124. https://doi.org/10.18485/fb_ijcss.2025.1.1.8

35. Johansson, R. (2024). The assembling process of outsider volunteers during disasters. International Journal of Disaster Risk Reduction, 106, 104408. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijdrr.2024.104408

36. Jumare, M. H., & Dada, K. (2025). Assessment on the level of awareness and adoption of cloud computing for disaster-resilient library management systems: A case study of Federal University of Education, Zaria. International Journal of Contemporary Security Studies, 1(2), 83-104. https://doi.org/10.18485/fb_ijcss.2025.1.2.6

37. Khankeh, H., Farrokhi, M., Saatchi, M., Pourebrahimi, M., Roudini, J., Rahmatali Khazaee, A., ... Hosseinabadi-Farahani, M. (2025). Influencing factors on building and improving social trust in emergency and disaster relief efforts: A systematic review. International Journal of Disaster Resilience in the Built Environment, 16(1), 129–142. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJDRBE-02-2023-0012

38. Krogh, A. H., & Lo, C. (2023a). Managing spontaneous volunteers during emergency response: The role of trust. International Journal of Disaster Risk Reduction, 97, 104010. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijdrr.2023.104010

39. Krogh, A. H., & Lo, C. (2023b). Robust emergency management: The role of institutional trust in organized volunteers. Public Administration, 101(1), 142-157. https://doi.org/10.1111/padm.12894

40. Krogh, A. H., & Lo, C. (2025). Intermediated co-production of emergency response: How non-profit organizations build trust in citizens. VOLUNTAS: International Journal of Voluntary and Nonprofit Organizations, 36, 179-190. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11266-024-00706-y

41. Le Dé, L., Ronoh, S., Kyu, E. M. T., & Rive, B. (2024). How can practitioners support citizen volunteers in disaster risk reduction? Insight from 'Good and Ready' in Aotearoa New Zealand. International Journal of Disaster Risk Science, 15, 374-387. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13753-024-00563-9

42. Li, W. (2025). Fostering community resilience from the grassroots: Individual factors influencing citizen coproduction in disasters. Natural Hazards Review. https://doi.org/10.1061/NHREFO.NHENG-2139

43. Liu, B. F., & Mehta, A. M. (2021). From the periphery and toward a centralized model for trust in government risk and disaster communication. Journal of Risk Research, 24(7), 853-869. https://doi.org/10.1080/13669877.2020.1773516

44. Ma, Y., Zhu, W., Zhang, H., Zhao, P., Wang, Y., & Zhang, Q. (2021). The factors affecting volunteers' willingness to participate in disaster preparedness. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 18(8), 4141. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18084141

45. Malinen, S. K., Nikkanen, M., & Kekki, T. (2026). Expectation of reciprocity and other-focused values foster informal volunteering intentions in disasters: Evidence from Finland. Nonprofit and Voluntary Sector Quarterly, 55(3), 678-697. https://doi.org/10.1177/08997640251363153

46. Milenković, D. (2025). Theoretical, institutional and organizational aspects of the integrated disaster risk reduction system: Towards a deeper understanding of disaster resilience in Serbia. International Journal of Contemporary Security Studies, 1(1), 175-190. https://doi.org/10.18485/fb_ijcss.2025.1.1.13

47. Ni, M., Xia, L., Wang, X., Wei, Y., Han, X., Liu, Y., & Pan, S. (2025). Psychological influences and implications for household disaster preparedness: A systematic review. Frontiers in Public Health, 13, 1457406. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2025.1457406

48. Nicholas, J. P., Donovan, A., Oppenheimer, C., Bell, L., & Van Wyk de Vries, M. (2026). How trust shapes individual resilience to natural hazards: A systematic review. Natural Hazards, 122, 48. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11069-025-07816-w

49. Nissen, S., Carlton, S., Wong, J., & Johnson, S. (2021). 'Spontaneous' volunteers? Factors enabling the Student Volunteer Army mobilisation following the Canterbury earthquakes, 2010-2011. International Journal of Disaster Risk Reduction, 53, 102008. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijdrr.2020.102008

50. Okubo, T., & Noy, I. (2026). Bonding social capital, disaster experience, and post-disaster giving in Japan. Disasters, 50(2), e70045. https://doi.org/10.1111/disa.70045

51. Paton, D. (2007). Preparing for natural hazards: The role of community trust. Disaster Prevention and Management, 16, 370-379. https://doi.org/10.1108/09653560710758323

52. Peña-Garay, M., Sandoval-Díaz, J., & Cuadra-Martínez, D. (2025). Social representations of formal volunteers and spontaneous volunteers in socio-natural disaster risk management contexts. Behavioral Sciences, 15(4), 497. https://doi.org/10.3390/bs15040497

53. Renner, R., & Mayr-Veselinović, C. (2025). Social license to operate: Where are you? The role of risk communication in raw material extraction. International Journal of Contemporary Security Studies, 1(1), 49-74. https://doi.org/10.18485/fb_ijcss.2025.1.1.5

54. Republic of Serbia. (2005). Law on the Red Cross of Serbia. Official Gazette of the Republic of Serbia, No. 107/2005.

55. Republic of Serbia. (2018). Law on Disaster Risk Reduction and Emergency Management. Official Gazette of the Republic of Serbia, No. 87/2018.

56. Ryan, B., Johnston, K. A., Taylor, M., & McAndrew, R. (2020). Community engagement for disaster preparedness: A systematic literature review. International Journal of Disaster Risk Reduction, 49, 101655. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijdrr.2020.101655

57. Sacyaten, C. S. (2025). Crisis communication in times of disasters: Public perceptions on the timeliness and clarity of safety announcements: A systematic literature review. International Journal of Disaster Risk Management, 7(2), 193–207. https://doi.org/10.18485/ijdrm.2025.7.2.11

58. Salam, M. F., Hemel, B. U., Roni, A. H., Pandith, J. C., & Maaeesha, N. (2025). Grassroots disaster governance in Bangladesh: The roles of Union Parishads and Disaster Management Committees. International Journal of Disaster Risk Management, 7(2), 395-404. https://doi.org/10.18485/ijdrm.2025.7.2.21

59. Shaw, D., & Scully, J. (2024). Sustaining spontaneous volunteer groups following their response to a disaster. International Journal of Operations & Production Management. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJOPM-09-2023-0778

60. Shi, M., Xu, W., Gao, L., Kang, Z., Ning, N., Liu, C., ... Wu, Q. (2018). Emergency volunteering willingness and participation: A cross-sectional survey of residents in northern China. BMJ Open, 8(7), e020218. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2017-020218

61. Siddiqi, M. U. A., Giordono, L., Zanocco, C., Stelmach, G., Flora, J., & Boudet, H. (2023). Disaster preparedness and community helping behaviour in the wake of the 2020 Oregon wildfires. Disasters, 47(4), 1138-1172. https://doi.org/10.1111/disa.12584

62. Skipor, S., & Bergquist, M. (2026). Meta-analytic evidence identifies efficacy beliefs and social norms as key correlates of public emergency preparedness. Communications Earth & Environment, 7, 132. https://doi.org/10.1038/s43247-025-03151-x

63. Swan-Keig, L., Waring, S., & Alison, L. (2024). Taking ACTION: Identifying factors that affect public willingness to engage in emergency preparedness activities. Journal of Contingencies and Crisis Management, 32(1), e12555. https://doi.org/10.1111/1468-5973.12555

64. Yamah, D., & Folorunsho, T. (2026). Leveraging social media and mobile technology for disaster communication in Nigeria. International Journal of Disaster Risk Management, 8(1), 1-30. https://doi.org/10.66050/x77jr639

65. Zhang, F., Bao, X., Deng, X., Wang, W., Song, J., & Xu, D. (2022). Does trust help to improve residents' perceptions of the efficacy of disaster preparedness? Evidence from Wenchuan and Lushan earthquakes in Sichuan Province, China. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 19(8), 4515. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19084515

International Journal of Contemporary Security Studies

Published

01.10.2026

Issue

Vol. 2 No. 2 (2026): International Journal of Contemporary Security Studies (First Online - Accepted Papers)

Section

International Journal of Contemporary Security Studies

License

Copyright (c) 2026 Vladimir M. Cvetković, Ana Vlastić, Vanja D. Cvetković (Author)

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

By submitting a manuscript to the International Journal of Contemporary Security Studies, authors acknowledge and agree to the following copyright terms and conditions:

  1. Author Rights and Ownership

    • Authors retain the copyright to their submitted work. However, by submitting their manuscript, authors grant the International Journal of Contemporary Security Studies a non-exclusive right to publish, distribute, and archive the work in any format (print, digital, or electronic).
    • Authors are free to share, reproduce, and distribute their published work, provided proper credit is given to the original publication in this journal.

  2. Licensing and Open Access Policy

    • The journal publishes under the [insert applicable license, e.g., Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY)], which allows others to share and adapt the work with appropriate attribution.
    • Authors are responsible for ensuring that their submission complies with the journal's licensing terms and does not violate any third-party rights.

  3. Originality and Permissions

    • The submitted work must be original and not previously published or under consideration elsewhere.
    • If the manuscript includes copyrighted materials (e.g., figures, tables, excerpts), authors must obtain the necessary permissions for reproduction and provide appropriate attribution.

  4. Author Warranties

    • By submitting, authors confirm that their work does not infringe on any intellectual property rights, is free from plagiarism, and adheres to ethical publishing standards.
    • The journal is not responsible for any legal disputes arising from copyright infringement, misrepresentation, or unauthorized use of third-party materials.

  5. Editorial and Publication Rights

    • The International Journal of Contemporary Security Studies reserves the right to make editorial modifications to ensure clarity, consistency, and compliance with journal standards.
    • If accepted, the manuscript will be published online and made publicly available according to the journal’s open-access policy.

By proceeding with submission, authors confirm that they have read and agreed to the terms outlined in this Copyright Notice.

How to Cite

Cvetković, V. M., Vlastić, A., & Cvetković, V. D. (2026). Public Awareness, Trust, and Willingness to Engage with the Red Cross in Disaster Preparedness and Response: A Cross-Sectional Study in Serbia. International Journal of Contemporary Security Studies, 2(2). https://doi.org/10.18485/